Sharat Sabharwal, Indian High Commissioner in Pakistan has ensured swift issuance of business visas, in a meeting held with Chairman and Members of Pakistan Chemicals & Dyes Merchants Association (PCDMA). Sharat Sabharwal, Indian High Commissioner along with R.K. Sharma, Economic & Commercial Counsellor, Dr Suhel Ajaz Khan, Visa Counsellor visited on the invitation of Muhammad Haroon Agar, Chairman, Pakistan Chemicals & Dyes Merchants Association.
The Indian High Commissioner while addressing the PCDMA Chairman & members assured that business visa will be processed and issued on priority to the association's members. He stated that Pakistan is an important country for India in respect of trade and subsequently the business community of both countries are maintaining cordial relations. He said that Pakistan imports chemicals, dyes, spices, plastics products etc in large quantity from India. He highlighted that the Indian export has crossed 600 billion, while the bilateral trade volume with joint efforts can rise to the level of 10 to 12 billion USD.
The Indian High Commissioner stated that they treat all trading partners equivalent and efforts are underway to enhance bilateral relations as well. Referring the SAFTA agreement, he said that it would act productive if Pakistan accords India MFN status.
Muhammad Haroon Agar, Chairman, Pakistan Chemicals & Dyes Merchants Association (PCDMA) drew the attention of Indian High Commissioner towards delays in the issuance of business visas to members and requested to simplify the visa procedures. Agar requested the Indian High Commissioner to grant visas to members on priority on association's recommendation. Agar during welcome speech stated that as per the figures of State Bank of Pakistan, India Trade Volume in 2009-10 was $1.38 Billion. Bilateral trade has a potential to increase upto US $5. He said that trade between India and Pakistan is less than 0.5% against their total trade and this should be increased.
He quoted that as per information Pakistan exported goods valued at US $268.33 million and imported US $1.03 billion in 2009-10 whereas, Pakistan suffers a trade deficit with India and trade is in Indian favour. Agar observed that Pakistan imports some Indian items through informal trade via Dubai & Singapore which is estimated around US $2-3 billion per year, and this trade could obviously be undertaken bilaterally at significant lower cost. Removing non tariff barriers from Indian side could pave the way for Pakistan to enhance its trade and to narrow down the trade deficit, he added.
Agar said that there is an unlawful trade amounting to US $2 to 3 billion, if legal trade is enhanced, illegal trade and smuggling could be checked. Agar also stressed upon the need of Pakistan and Indian Chambers and Associations frequent interaction. He said that PCDMA believe to enhance bilateral trade between two countries, with regular exchange of trade delegations and interaction between the leading trade associations with active participation in exhibitions of two countries. Shaikh Imran Saleem, Vice Chairman PCDMA, and Managing Committee Members of PCDMA were also present.-PR
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